There are a few people I would like to thank my Beta Scousegran a talented writer, I love her NCIS stories. Marla, for getting me hooked on J/E and her support and help, Marla I have read your stories several times and plan on doing so again. Ravenlogic, and OpenMindedPerson for their support also, they have made this fun. I also love their stories. I don't own That 70's Show, wish I did. Now for chapter two, this was easy to write but also hard, if that makes since.

A forest of thorns

Jackie entered Brooke's apartment followed by five of her most trustworthy and capable employees, she stopped when she saw a familiar figure stand up from the couch and look her way. She walked over to him and kicked him in the right shin.

"OW, damn Jackie." Kelso complained as he bent down and rubbed his leg. One of the men stepped forward at the tone, but Jackie saw this and held up her hand to stop him.

Jackie glared at him, "What are you doing here Michael?"

"I need to talk to Brooke."

"She doesn't want to talk to you dumbass," she told him with scorn in her voice, then she kicked him again in the other shin.

"OW, come on Jackie," he exclaimed as he sat on the arm of the couch while rubbing both his legs.

Jackie glanced around the room and saw the engagement ring on the counter next to the open letter; she walked over to the counter picked up the ring then went back over to Michael then kicked him in the shin again and shoved the ring in his mouth when he went to yell. She then pointed to the door. "Get out before I put my foot in your ass."

Michael took the ring out of his mouth and held up his hands. "All right I'm going." As he reached the door he turned back. "It was a mistake Jackie, tell her I'm sorry."

"Michael," she said. He stopped and looked back at her. "A mistake is unintentional, what you did was intentional." She walked up to him and he could see something in her eyes that he wished to never see again. She poked him in the chest. "You intentionally cheated on her, you intentionally hurt her and you intentionally made her cry and you Pissed, Me. Off." With each jab of her finger he backed up. "And you know what happens when you piss me off, don't you Michael?"

Michael swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded.

Jackie smiled at him, then reached into her clutch and retrieved a card; she held it out to him. "Call this number when you want to see Betsy and you will be told when and where you can pick her up." He took the card then headed down the hall. Jackie turned back into the apartment and heard soft laughter.

"Find something funny?" Each and every one of them shook their head, no. "Thought so." She headed towards Brooke's bedroom. "Remember if we are out of here before three there will be an extra two-hundred and a dinner at that new French restaurant." With that they all got to work packing up the apartment, she watched them for a few seconds and smiled. Charles was right when he told her 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar'; her smile got bigger when she remembered that day.

Flashback

The business that Charles started at her insistence was thriving after only being open for six months. But right now she was fuming, one of the employees had screwed up an order and cost the company thousands in profit. When she found out she went after him and practically had the poor man crying by the time she was done. After she'd was done is when Charles took her into his office and sat her down;

"Jackie I know he screwed up, but why did you do that to him?"

"He's lucky I didn't fire him," she said.

"After what you did, he probably wishes you had." He got up, went around his desk and sat down in the chair next to his partner and girlfriend. "Look, he is good at what he does and yes it doesn't seem like it now, but he will learn from this mistake and do better in the future."

Jackie looked at him. "All right, but I'm not apologizing to him."

He chuckled, "I would never ask you to do that in this situation, it would only make you seem weak and that is not what you are."

She smiled and reached over and took his hand, "I love you."

"I love you too." He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Now for another matter, I've been getting complaints from the other employees."

She sighed. "What now?"

He took a deep breath. "They are complaining about your attitude." He held up his hand to forestall her. "I've seen it too and I've been meaning to talk to you about it." He watched her frown and look down at her lap. "You know that saying, 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar'?" She nodded. "Good, remember a good attitude and incentives go a long way to productivity."

"You're right Charles, don't worry, I will be better in the future." She smiled. "But if any of them think they can get away with being lazy, I will take them aside and they will wish they had been working harder."

"That's all I ask Jackie, now what do you say we go out tonight, I have reservations at Cordon Bleu." He watched her perk up and smile,"OH Charles I love that place." She jumped up and kissed him.

End Flash Back

Jackie sat on Brooke's bed, and wiped a tear from her eye. That was the same day he proposed to her, it was the happiest day of her life and the most romantic. He hired a violinist to play at their table, there was a bouquet of roses waiting at the table, when he did propose he didn't hide the ring in a glass of champagne nor in any other cliché items, no he was a traditionalist. He got down on one knee with the ring box open in his hand presenting it to her, she smiled and tears formed in her eyes. She of course said yes, he placed the ring on her finger, then he stood up took her in his arms and they kissed, a kiss that made her knees weak, her heart beat faster and her stomach do flip-flops. When they finally came up for air, they realized everyone in the restaurant was applauding, some were even whistling and hooting. Charles bowed while Jackie curtsied, then they both sat back down at their table to finish their evening. Not only was she finally financially secure again, but she also had a man that loved her for who she was and didn't want her to change for him, but wanted her to stay the same. He also wanted the same things she did, a family. She would have gladly stepped down from her position in their company to raise their children, but it wasn't meant to be. Of course four months after he proposed, was followed by one of the worst days of her life. She looked at the finger that was once graced by the most beautiful engagement ring she ever saw; she'd finally taken it off two months ago after two years.

Flash Back

It was two weeks till their wedding, and Jackie was in overdrive. Charles was away on a business trip and promised that he would be back today so that he could be fitted for his tuxedo. Brooke was there to help her with the final preparations; they were just getting back from the caterers where they had approved the final menu for the reception. As they pulled up to the house, they both noticed a police car was sitting out front at the curb. When they got out of the car, they were approached by two police officers.

Jackie stepped forward as they approached. "How may I help you officers?"

The most senior of the two stepped forward. "Are you Jacqueline Burkhart?"

Jackie nodded.

The officer removed his hat and held it in front of him like it was a shield. "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Charles Porter's private plane went down two hours ago."

That was all Jackie remembered because everything went dark; Brooke and the officers rushed to her as she collapsed. The next thing she knew she was waking up on her couch with Brooke kneeling down next to her pressing a cold cloth to her forehead.

Jackie sat up and looked at Brooke. "Please tell me I was having a nightmare."

Brooke shook her head, "I'm sorry it wasn't a dream." She looked over Jackie's shoulder at the two men standing there.

Jackie followed her gaze, when she saw the two police officers standing there she broke down and started crying. Brooke sat next to Jackie and wrapped her in her arms. "They haven't found the plane yet, he might only be hurt and waiting for help to arrive. I'm sure he'll be home and looking forward to the wedding in no time."

Jackie buried her face into Brooke's shoulder, she nodded wanting to believe what she was hearing. But she knew in her heart he didn't survive, all day she had this sick feeling that something wasn't right.

It was two days later that the plane and Charles were found; the M.E confirmed that he died on impact, he didn't suffer. The funeral was held a week later. Red, Kitty, Eric, Donna and Fez were there; even though they never met him, they were there for their friend. Eric was the one that stepped up, he gave her his shoulder to cry on, he was her rock.

Charles had no family except Jackie, she was his whole world as he was hers.

End Flashback

"Ms. Burkhart?" Jackie snapped out of her memories and looked towards the door.

Smiling at the person at the door. "What is it Frank?"

"We're finished with the rest of the apartment, we just need to do this room." Frank said, hesitant to enter the room.

Jackie nodded. "OK. Sara I need you to help me pack some of Brooke's clothes into the suite cases I have in my car, be a dear and go get them for me. Frank you and the guys can go ahead and start with the bed." She then got up and following Brooke's directions, she secured her jewelry and money that she had stashed in secret places. After awhile Sara came back with the cases; after they finished Jackie looked around to make sure she didn't forget anything. She looked at her watch and smiled; they'd kept their word, they were not only on schedule but they were several hours ahead. So she opened up her clutch and took out an envelope. "Frank, in here is that bonus I promised to all of you if we made it out of here before three. All of you kept your word so I'm keeping mine, make sure you give every one what is due to them." She handed it to Frank, then she picked up both of the cases. "Remember, all of you have reservations at that restaurant." She turned and left.

A/N ? I hope y'all liked it.